Tree stand and gear carrying system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a multifunctional carrier that is used to transport a portable tree stand and gear or gear pack. The present invention enables the user, for example, to carry a portable tree stand of their choice along with gear or a gear pack as one combined unit versus carrying a tree stand and gear or a gear pack separately. The versatility of the invention enables the user to use the system with multiple tree stand and gear or gear pack combinations. Structurally, the apparatus comprises of hooks, straps, and buckles that secure the system to a tree stand. The apparatus secures the user&#39;s gear or gear pack to the system by means of a strap or straps and buckle(s). Carry of the system is facilitated by a waist belt and shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are separable, enabling ease of attachment and removal of the system from the tree stand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/343,345, filed Apr. 27, 2010 entitled “Tree stand and hunting gear carrying system”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multifunctional carriers which transport portable tree stands, such as those used in hunting. The device combines a system for attaching and carrying a tree stand with gear or a gear pack. The invention gives the user the ability to carry a portable tree stand and gear or gear pack as one combined unit versus carrying the tree stand and gear or gear pack as two separate units.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,582,165 and 4,989,766 teach the combination of a backpack and tree stand; U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,780 teaches the combination of a backpack frame and object climbing wildlife stand having a plurality of utilization modes including a backpack mode, an object climbing mode, and a wildlife stand mode. While all of these prior art patents combine a tree stand with a means to carry gear, none of these prior art patents comprise or suggest a stand-alone carrying system that enables the user to interchange the tree stand of their choice with the gear or gear pack of their choice.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a system of straps, buckles, and attachment to the tree stand that enables the user to carry both a tree stand and gear or gear pack of their choice in one combined unit. By enabling the tree stand and gear or gear pack to be carried as one unit, the invention enhances the ability to more conveniently, comfortably, and quietly transport the tree stand and gear or gear pack to the desired location. Unlike any previous design, the versatility of the invention enables the user to use the system with multiple tree stand and gear or gear pack combinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The design and application of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view illustration of the invention while attached to a common portable style tree stand;

FIG. 3 is a rear view illustration of the invention attached to a common portable style tree stand;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the invention attached to a common portable style tree stand and being worn by the user;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the invention with the individual straps being shown in an extended, unattached position to better illustrate the relationship of the straps with other components of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the components of the present invention include the following: a rectangular component 1, hooks 2, shoulder straps 3, lower straps 4, waist belt 5, buckles 6, top strap 7, gear securing straps 8, and hook attachment straps 9,

Rectangular component 1 is comprised of a flexible, durable material such as, but not limited to, polyethylene sheeting, encased in a durable covering such as, but not limited to, a nylon fabric. Rectangular component 1 is commonly encased within the covering by means of, but not limited to, nylon stitching along the perimeter of the covering. This covering of component 1 facilitates the attachment of the shoulder straps 3, lower straps 4, top strap 7, gear securing straps 8, and hook attachment straps 9 to rectangular component 1. The shoulder straps 3, lower straps 4, hooks 2, top strap 7, gear securing straps 8, and hook attachment straps 9 are commonly secured to the covering of rectangular component 1 through the process of, but not limited to, nylon thread stitching. Attaching shoulder straps 3, lower straps 4, hook attachment straps 9, top strap 7, and gear securing straps 8 to rectangular component 1 maintains them in their correct positions during attachment of the tree stand and gear carrying system to the tree stand 10, removal of tree stand and gear carrying system from the tree stand 10, during use, and during storage.

The shoulder straps 3, lower straps 4, waist belt 5, top strap 7, gear securing straps 8, and hook attachment straps 9 are comprised of a flexible, durable material such as, but not limited to, nylon webbing.

Shoulder straps 3 are disposed in a parallel and vertical position on rectangular component 1 and extend beyond top of rectangular component 1. Ends of shoulder straps 3 that extend beyond rectangular component 1 are connected to opposite sides of waist belt 5 by common means of, but not limited to, nylon thread stitching, and are bisected by buckles 6 located near waist belt 5. Lower straps 4 are disposed in a parallel and vertical position on rectangular component 1 and extend beyond bottom of rectangular component 1. Ends of lower straps 4 which extend beyond rectangular component 1 attach to the rear of the waist belt 5 and are commonly secured through the process of, but not limited to, nylon thread stitching.

Hooks 2 are disposed in a parallel position at the bottom edge of rectangular component 1, facing forward and hanging downward, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Hooks 2 facilitate the attachment of the present invention to the tree stand 10 by engaging the framework of the tree stand 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Hooks 2 are commonly comprised of, but not limited to, an open-ended wire hook often referred to as a “J hook”. Hooks 2 are attached to rectangular component 1 by means of hook attachment straps 9 which encircle closed loop end of hooks 2. Top strap 7 is disposed in a vertical position, centrally located on a horizontal plane at the top edge of component 1. Top strap 7 extends vertically from the top of rectangular component 1 and is bisected by a buckle 6. Top strap 7 creates upward tension which secures the present invention to the tree stand 10 by maintaining the engagement of hooks 2 onto the framework of the tree stand 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The buckles 6 used in the present invention are commonly comprised of, but not limited to, those enabling adjustment and quick-disconnect features such as those commonly referred to as “side-release”. The buckles 6 are commonly secured to shoulder straps 3, lower straps 4, waist belt 5, top strap 7, and gear securing straps 8 through the process of, but not limited to, nylon thread stitching.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the present invention is attached to the tree stand 10 in the following manner; Hooks 2 are engaged on the framework of the tree stand 10 opposite of where the user is positioned during use, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

While maintaining engagement of the hooks 2 through upward tension on the system, top strap 7 is secured around the framework of tree stand 10 and buckle 6 of top strap 7 is attached. The present invention is now securely attached to tree stand 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, with buckles 6 of shoulder straps 3 unattached, shoulder straps 3 are positioned through or over top framework of tree stand 10 and brought to a forward, downward position. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower straps 4 and waist belt 5 are positioned under the framework of the tree stand 10 and brought to a forward, upward position. The buckles 6 of shoulder straps 3 are then attached, creating a connection between the shoulder straps 3 and waist belt 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, the user's gear or gear pack is secured to present invention by means of gear securing straps 8. 

1. A multifunctional carrying system for transporting a portable tree stand: comprising of at least one means for receiving and holding at least one tree stand; and a configuration of straps for accomplishing said above.
 2. A multifunctional carrying system of claim 1, wherein the carrying system is attached to the tree stand in such a manner that the tree stand is positioned between the user and the point of attachment, creating a sandwich effect.
 3. A multifunctional carrying system for transporting a portable tree stand and gear or gear pack; comprising of a means for attaching a tree stand; a means for attaching gear or gear pack, and means for transporting the tree stand and gear or gear pack in one combined unit, by a system of straps buckles and hooks.
 4. A multifunctional carrying system of claim 3, wherein the means of securing the system to the tree stand is at least one hook and one strap with buckle.
 5. A multifunctional carrying system of claim 3, wherein the means of securing the gear or gear pack to the system is at least one strap with buckle.
 6. A multifunctional carrying system of claim 3, wherein the transporting means is at least one shoulder harness and a waist belt.
 7. A multifunctional carrying system of claim 6, wherein the shoulder harness is separable facilitating attachment to and removal of the system from the tree stand. 